Mini Split Install with the Exact Unit I Use

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About That ADU Guy
Derek Sherrell is a real estate investor, ADU coach, and endurance athlete with 25 years experience in the building trade.
Derek’s videos are all about the process of making home ownership affordable using the ADU strategy. In these short clips, he explains how to get started and offers money-saving tips you can use. Over time, he’ll walk you through the steps of how to plan, design, finance, and build ADUs (also known as granny flats, guest homes, cottages, casitas, or in-law units).
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[@eric4brs]

I like how you mounted it to a fresh piece of drywall that can be finished to by the drywallers. I've been looking for more on this on KZbin.

[@ThatADUGuy]

Glad it was helpful! Yes, we drywall and insulate behind the unit.

[@ThatADUGuy]

Great to hear this side. The no leak club.

[@steventhury8366]

I would never run the lines inside a finished wall.

[@ThatADUGuy]

Thanks for the view Steve. Why not?

[@khelix23]

My lines had a leak. 😢 one question (Im building a small office (DIY) to attach the console metal bracket what distance should I left my timber for a 9,000 btu unit? Or it doesn’t matter if they are like the one in the video? This time my lines will be out.

[@ThatADUGuy]

@@khelix23 we mount around 3" down from lid

[@dexal8368]

Brazing definitely is more reliable, but it voids the warranty. I like to recommend access doors to my customers on the drywall, for "future maintenance". And by maintenance i mean when it inevitably leaks

[@ThatADUGuy]

Great point! Thanks for sharing.

[@lukelahay2060]

Thanks for the video and buy list. We have been doing some flips and rentals in NC. Love seeing the different tricks of the trade displayed. Appreciate the purchase list as well.

[@ThatADUGuy]

Glad to be of service!

[@sr9253]

Where is the purchase list?

[@mb-vj2lr]

Thanks for the video. Do you use a single or dual zone unit for a 500 sft ADU?

[@ThatADUGuy]

Single everytime

[@trashpanda2396]

So if you need to replace or remove the head you cut the wall open?

[@ThatADUGuy]

Yes, just a 12"x12" access.

[@saulbeiza7303]

12-2 is enough to power that thing?

[@ThatADUGuy]

Yes, these little units are super effecient

[@bkoz319]

its not frost, it creates condensate

[@ThatADUGuy]

Thanks for the correction. I have seen it look a bit frosty, must be due to that condensation.

[@coolsheatingacservices7375]

Move it down alittle more from the ceiling because the return air goes in at the top of the unit!! Thanks

[@ThatADUGuy]

Copy, thanks! Do you have a spec distance? Or rule of thumb you like?

[@erict6374]

Do you think the daikon 12k is good for a 450sqft garage with a room. Thinking of doing just one header in the living and kitchen for the whole unit

[@ThatADUGuy]

Yes, all day

[@eastcorkcheeses6448]

I assume insulation and climate make a big difference in the btu size you'd recommend, A 1500 foot well insulated and sealed unit in a milder climate would need a far smaller unit than a 500 sq foot shack in florida

[@ThatADUGuy]

Yes, all true. I would prob use a 12,000 BTU unit.

[@samueltesfabruk5103]

What do you do for restroom ac system in ADU?

[@ThatADUGuy]

whole house is under pressure and one head works (small houses only)

[@samueltesfabruk5103]

@@ThatADUGuy my ADU doesn’t have vaulted ceiling. bedroom, living room and bathroom are separate rooms.

[@energytechnologies206]

You’re supposed to do a left had discharge so you don’t have to cut the wall open 15 years later. There is space behind the head for this. Rector seal makes a tool to hold the head to make the connections.

[@ThatADUGuy]

Great tip, I will ask our factor rep about this. Thank you!

[@cesarg3561]

Not suppose to braze those minisplits. If that’s Lennox the warranty is voided

[@ThatADUGuy]

Daikin certified installers in our area use this method.

[@shhhhmeeeeeeeeee2368]

Never braze on mini splits the gases and soot from doin so harms the compressor that is why every spit system is flare

[@ThatADUGuy]

@@shhhhmeeeeeeeeee2368 we have had leak issues with threaded fittings.

[@marcusfitzgerald59]

@@ThatADUGuythey don’t know how to use a torque wrench.

[@ThatADUGuy]

@@marcusfitzgerald59 even to Daikin specs, that connection is prone to leaks over time. Simle expansion and contraction with minor differences in metal thickness.

[@coolsheatingacservices7375]

That mini is to close to the ceiling. Good job .

[@ThatADUGuy]

Spec sheet for this units has min ceiling clearance on 1 3/16. This one was set at 3 1/2 I believe. How can we improve? Thanks for the feedback.

[@1911loaded]

If you been factory trained and hold the certs and are getting recertification you'd know you don't braze.

[@ThatADUGuy]

We have had leak issues with the factory conections. We hold these homes forever and manage them ourselves. This has eliminated issues we have had in the past. We are looking for practical funtion not certification. What we learn in the classroom and what we learn in the field are not the same. I do respect Your info and that you are are pro and thank you for your comment.

[@OramWerd]

These connections are perfectly fine to braze as long as you flow nitrogen.

[@manueldriggers5076]

Which wire did you use for the installation?

[@ThatADUGuy]

20a 220 12 three.

[@DCmite1]

would you recommend ducted mini split over ductless? plenty of attic space

[@ThatADUGuy]

If you are not on a tight budget, yes.

[@ThatADUGuy]

Only because of better options for air filtering

[@josephschulman]

Could you tell me the cost of a 12K btu unit? And could you recommend a brand and model ? Thanks!

[@ThatADUGuy]

Under $3k installed. Diakin 12,000 btu midline model.

[@josephschulman]

Thankyou have you ever used Bryant ?

[@ThatADUGuy]

@@josephschulman i have not, sorry.

[@feliksas8917]

Wow. Line connection left in wall. I think it’s not a profesional install, it’s easier install for the installer. Behind the unit there is enough space to do the connection… even if you want to do it your way. Second thing, installing mini splits for over 12 years, commercial and residencial, havent have a leak on the flare. Not even using the nylog blue thing. Good tools, good connection, torque wrench, after check with nitrogen - works flawlesly. Plus, cutting line voids warranty. What if you neeed to replace it, much easier and cheaper for client. All in all, awfull video

[@ThatADUGuy]

Thanks for the feedback and view. This is what has worked well for us. I build, hold and rent these houses for long term work force housing in my community. There is no client. I have dozens of these systems with this install and wanted to share our style. Thank you for sharing yours as well. 😊

[@marcusfitzgerald59]

Hire a real professional!

[@ThatADUGuy]

We have had great luck with these units in many houses that we keep and maintain. Please share what we can do ton give our tenants a better install/product. Who would you say is the most pro HVAC Co in the country? I always love to research and learn how to improve.